[sdiy] help me finish my 2xASM1-based modular system.. (ASM-X )

[Gene Stopp]

(sorry for the delay, I blame my kids...)

suggestions for 3 and 4:

#3 - Use 78xx/79xx regulators. No, wait, use 317/337's. No, wait, go onto
eBay and get a PowerOne HAA-something...

My MO for regulators is this: the 78xx/79xx series are for replacements of
the same in existing stuff. If I want to roll my own, the 317/337 is easily
my first choice. They work perfectly and are adjustable over a wide range.
Not only that, I inherited a bunch of each from when my old company folded.
:) If I want to skip the building time then I'll jump on to eBay and get a
PowerOne. They can be ridiculously cheap. Once I wanted to make a 12v supply
(not 42v, ha ha) to power automotive accessories like air compressors etc.
As you may know the current needs for some of these things is beyond the
range available in regulators, so it's not your normal DIY power supply. I
didn't want to use raw unregulated DC since the voltage isn't reliable and
to keep the ripple down you need way huge caps. So I eBay'ed for a PowerOne
and got a new-in-box 12V 10A for $10 no reserve. I was the only bidder and
the seller emailed to say I *stole* it, fair and square. Something like $250
new.

#4 I defer to those who do this more than I

ASM-1 advice (as I wipe away the cobwebs):

Some outputs come directly from op-amp outputs and need a 1K series resistor
if you want to go to a patch panel, to fit the standard modular model and
protect the op-amps. The missing ones were purely oversights when I laid out
the PCB.

If the ADSR gates also come from the outside world, add a series diode to
only allow positive gates. The input LM358 is running on a single +15 supply
and *hates* negative inputs. It doesn't blow up, but it thinks it's positive
and falsely triggers the EG.

Re: 42v in cars - I think it makes sense, even if only for the elimination
of the clumsy 12v starter motor. My wife has a 4WD hybrid and it's pretty
cool what's going on in there. The CVT makes total sense. I've believed for
a long time that the ideal moving machine should use electricity for the
motive power. It's controllable and instantaneous, and easily converted to
kinetic energy and back again into electricity. With enough smarts built
into it, and low-loss current control, you don't have to waste any of it.
We're practically there with the smarts and the control, now the storage
remains as the next hurdle. The hybrids can be used to iron out the kinks
till we figure out the storage thing. And LED tailights are cool. Literally.
Can you believe we still heat up metal almost to melting in a vacuum and use
the side-effect photons as lights?

- Gene

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
[mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl]On Behalf Of Jay Vaughan
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 3:39 PM
To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
Subject: [sdiy] help me finish my 2xASM1-based modular system.. (ASM-X)


hi all,

i've finally received my ASM-1 boards (Gene Stopp originals!) from 
storage in LA, and its time now to complete this project .. i've got 
the boards completed, all components in and soldered and ready to go, 
so now its time for the following:

1. design a panel to accomodate two ASM-1 boards
2. wire the panel
3. hack up a power supply to handle both boards
4. hack up a CV/MIDI convertor to handle both boards

i was wondering if anyone on synth-diy had some opinions/suggestions 
for what i could do for #3/#4?  i'd like the 'easiest' option .. so 
if there is a module kit out there already that could possibly 
accomodate these two features (power and CV/MIDI) maybe someone wants 
to recommend it to me?

that said, i do have a pretty good idea for what i'm going to do 
about the panel .. and i think i may just end up keeping space for 
more modules to add to this system, sort of use the ASM-1's as a 
starting base for my 'dream' modular system, so what else can go 
along with the ASM1 design that would be of interest?

its been a few years since i dug into the ASM1 treasure-chest .. 
perhaps some of you (by now) old ASM1 pro's can give me a bit of 
enlightenment as to interesting directions to take with these boards? 
since its going to be constructed out of two complete ASM1 boards, 
i'm calling it the 'ASM-X' system, heh heh ..

-- 

;

Jay Vaughan